DAY2–3 ｜ Slow, Heart-Soothing Days on Dhigurah Island 🌍
“Dhigurah” means “a long island” in Dhivehi.
Out of all the local islands in the Maldives,
there was only one reason I chose Dhigurah:
— the color of the ocean I saw in that photo.
The moment I saw it, something in my heart just said,
“This is the place.”
That was all I needed to make my decision.
But when I started researching…
there was surprisingly little information out there (lol)
So I hope this post becomes a little hint for anyone thinking about visiting🌿
💰 How much does a local island stay cost?
People often ask, “Is it really cheaper than a resort?”
For us, 2 nights / 3 days = about ¥149,000 for two people.
Breakdown:
- Hotel (2 nights with breakfast): ≈ ¥37,000
- Activities: Manta $75 / Whale shark $80 / Sandbank $75
- Food (lunch + dinner total): ≈ ¥10,000
- Speedboat (airport ↔ island): $60 × 2 people × 2 = $240
🏝☀️ Safety & Atmosphere
Locals are super friendly and always greet you with a smile☺︎
Even though it’s a local island, it’s tourist-friendly and has more shops than expected — you won’t feel stuck!
🍽 Food & Dining
Menus + translation apps = lifesaver。
Sometimes the dish looks different from what you imagined,
but everything we tried was delicious!
There are plenty of restaurants across the island,
so you can enjoy a different taste every day◎
Some places even give free bottled water if you ask!
🛌 Where we stayed
We stayed at Sands Grand Hotel.
We chose it because it’s close to the beach,
has many activities, and the reviews were great.
When we arrived, the staff picked us up
in a tiny truck (like a mini pickup),
and that warm welcome set the mood for the whole stay.
It’s not a luxury resort, but the relaxed, friendly vibes
were exactly what I loved.
Water pressure, hot water, AC — all perfect.
There are quite a lot of mosquitoes, so repellent is a must!
Daily water refill, fresh towels, hairdryer…
everything you need is provided.
💬 Is English necessary?
Not really — you’ll be fine with a translation app and gestures◎
The staff always took their time typing into the app for us.
I felt both grateful and a bit sorry… but every time they said:
“No problem :)”
Their kindness warmed my heart again and again.
✈️ How to get there
About 2 hours by speedboat from the airport.
Boats run twice a day.
Just message your hotel in advance and they’ll book it for you✉️
At the airport, check-in is done at the counter they tell you about beforehand.
Even if you’re nervous about English, the staff guide you through it!
🏊 Beach, Clothing & Local Culture
On local islands, bikinis are generally not allowed.
But the “bikini beach” area is totally OK!
There are signs, and you’ll see other tourists swimming — easy to find◎
Guides say “no revealing clothes,”
but in reality, many people wear tank tops and shorts.
I personally wore a light cover-up for sun protection
and to be respectful of the island culture.
Also: no alcohol at all due to religious rules.
Not in restaurants, not in hotels, no bringing your own.
🐠 Activities
You can book diving/snorkeling tours at the hotel after arrival.
Some tours require a minimum number of people,
so asking early is a good idea◎
The staff explain everything kindly,
and prices are more budget-friendly than resorts.
My top picks:
Whale shark & Sandbank (deserted island) 💎🤍
📸 More of our trip is on TikTok
TikTok：@.aroham
TikTok Lite：@..aroham
🧳 What I’m glad I brought
- A happy mindset (the most important!☀️)
- Mosquito repellent (as essential as sunscreen)
- Waterproof tote bag
- Waterproof phone case & flip-flops
- GoPro (the water clarity is unreal)
- Hat, sunscreen, electrolyte powder
- Adapter (Maldives uses BF type)
- Motion sickness meds (the boat can get bumpy)
🌿 Slow moments & scenes I never want to forget
“This is what slow living feels like.”
That’s what I thought the moment we arrived.
There are meeting times,
but no one rushes, no one hurries.
Time just… flows.
Gently, quietly.
This is island time.
Meals take 30 minutes to 1.5 hours,
but somehow, that pace feels just right.
If you want to unwind and breathe deeply,
this island is for you.
This is Dhigurah — slow, peaceful, and unforgettable.
You really have to feel it for yourself.
I can’t recommend it enough.
Dhigurah will always hold a special place in my heart.
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